On August 31, 1870, Maria Montessori was born in Chiaravalle, Italy. An activist, feminist, humanitarian, doctor, and education revolutionary, her role in advancing education, promoting peace and social justice, and advocating for children’s rights cannot be understated. It has been 70 years since her passing and still the impact of her work is felt around the globe through the thousands of students who sit in the classrooms of schools bearing her name.
To honor her legacy, AMS has collected stories, quotes, and thank you notes from members of our community and staff.
Happy Birthday, Maria Montessori!
Candy Proctor
Upper Elementary Teacher and Member of the AMS Board of Directors
I finally found my way into a Montessori classroom when I was 24 years old. I was a Child Development major discouraged by the cartoonish approach to classroom design that was a hallmark of Early Childhood classrooms everywhere. When I entered the toddler classroom that would become my introduction to Montessori, I was immediately struck by how warm and beautiful the space was. Even now, twenty-seven years later, this is a quality that I have come to expect in all Montessori environments.
My attention then immediately turned to the children. I had never seen such peaceful children. Who could have imagined seeing toddlers moving about their perfectly-sized space, chatting softly with one another and their guides, helping each other clean up spills, carefully spooning into stunning, glass dishes? I knew in those first few moments that I had found my future. I had found Montessori, and I was determined to learn all that I could to make the same magic.
For me, Montessori education means love, love of children, love of joy in the small moments, love of learning, and love of the person I’ve become in order to live in service to children.
Carey Jones
Editor of Montessori Life Magazine; Montessori Parent
Montessori education means my children—and one day, I hope, all children—are truly seen for their individual selves and afforded the freedom to grow into their fullest potential. I see Montessori as a way of living, rather than merely an educational method, and envision a future in which it has applications that extend far beyond schools and classrooms.
Margarita Diaz
Montessori Guide and Parent
Eighteen years ago, when I first entered a Montessori classroom, I observed, mesmerized, the students as they engaged in different activities with such a high level of independence and respect for each other. Later, I found an adult sitting on the floor with a small group of students, working on a lesson that I would learn was called the Moveable Alphabet. During that time, I was convinced that not only had I found the perfect school for my daughter, but that I also wanted to be part of that magical experience. Not only had I become a certified Elementary guide, but most importantly I became a parent of two Montessori girls that attended the school where I was working. What a gift to work and to commute together!
Over the years I became a Montessori trainer and speaker. It was a complete transformation of how I had previously perceived my connection with people and our universe. Now more than ever I am convinced that Montessori education is the best path to foster peaceful and respectful citizens. We need to continue working for respect, diversity, and equity for all children. As a co-founder of the AMS en Español Affinity Group, I work to spread the bilingual Montessori community both nationally and internationally. There is still so much to accomplish in our changing world and I am proud to continue this empowering journey.
Gina Lofquist
AMS Senior Director of Education and Strategic Initiatives
Where does one begin… Dr. Montessori showed the world the possibility of children and what the view of a future might look like if we honored this possibility. Her ideas have the ability to change the world, if we all have the courage to embrace a new way of educating children and how we might construct ourselves into adults. For me personally, Montessori education has revealed the possibility of my own humanity and guided my journey as a mother. I am ever grateful for the universe aligning my start as a Montessori educator with the news of becoming a mother for the first time. I am also honored to awaken each day knowing, like all Montessori educators, I have the possibility of making a difference for children and their families as well as for our AMS community.
Chriss, Edith, Florencia, Marlene, Nancy, & Gabrielle
Montessori Country Day School, Cottage Toddler Team
To us, Montessori education gives us a meaningful way of introducing the world to the child by allowing the child to be curious and unfold naturally. Through Dr. Montessori’s work, we know the child absorbs information from the prepared environment so we are able to guide them to independence without imposing. Montessori education allows the child to embrace what they learn by developing trust and respect for their world because these qualities were shown to them first.
Hannah Baynham
AMS Director of Learning and Professional Development
“Montessori has been transformative in my understanding of childhood. Through my deeper study of the pedagogy, I have been able to use a critical lens to explore and reflect on what Montessori means to the child and the adult of today. As adults, we must take time to do the work, to learn and grow as both educators and people. Montessori must continue to evolve, to challenge, and to break down systems of oppression to empower the learners of today, to develop into the leaders and changemakers of tomorrow.”
Natalie Sanchez
AMS Marketing Assistant; Montessori Parent
Montessori education feels like an extension of my home and the values we hope to instill in our young children. Montessori goes far beyond academics. To me, it means my children will learn how to be independent, mindful adults that can think for themselves, solve problems, work in community, and do good in this world.
Stephanie Cavinder
Infant and Toddler Guide; AMS Teacher Education Associate
To me, Montessori education has always meant freedom. Freedom for the student, freedom for the teacher, and freedom from judgment in learning. I always wanted to be a teacher growing up and when I found the Montessori Method, I finally found a pedagogy that aligned with my personal values and gave me that sense of freedom in education.
Dorothy Harman
Retired Public School Montessorian, Curriculum Coordinator, Facilitator of Adult Learning, & Montessori Author
The opinions expressed in Montessori Life are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the position of AMS.